The Efficacy of Fucoidan on Gastric Ulcer

Hyperacidity causes gastric injury, and in severe situations, ulcer could develop. The growth factors known as<br />the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) have been recognized to promote<br />ulcer healing. Fucoidan is extracted from a brown seaweed of Okinawa called Mozuku or Cladosiphon okamuranus.<br />Fucoidan is effective for the healing of gastric ulcers by inducing epithelial cells to produce growth factors. The aim<br />of this study is to explore the efficacy of fucoidan in patient who suffered by gastric ulcer. A randomized control trial<br />double blind was conducted to 33 eligible samples. By using four-blocks random samples were divided into fucoidan<br />and placebo groups. 100 mg of fucoidan was given to the fucoidan group and 100 mg of glucose was given to the<br />placebo group. Due to ethical reasons, for both groups were given a proton pump inhibitor. There was no difference<br />in the age category between the fucoidan group (mean: 46.23 &plusmn; 14.8 years) and the placebo group (mean: 46.18 &plusmn; 18.4<br />years) (p: 0.28). There was also no difference in sex between the fucoidan group (female: 10/33; male 7/33) and the<br />placebo group (female: 7/33; male: 9/33); p: 0.38. According to the SAKITA and MIWA criterias 32 patients fulfilled<br />A1 which indicate active severe ulcer, and 1 patient fulfilled A2 which indicate active moderate ulcer. Most of the<br />ulcers were gastric ulcer. There was a significant improvement of the grade of ulcer in fucoidan group (94%) (16/17)<br />compared to placebo group (37.5%) (6/16,p: 0.005). There was a significant reduction of abdominal pain after 5 days<br />in the fucoidan group, compared to the placebo group (p: 0.04). Vomiting tends to decrease in day 6 of the fucoidan<br />group however its proportion is similar with that of the placebo group (p: 0.9). Fucoidan is effective for ulcer healing<br />and reducing ulcer symptoms.<br />Key words : fucoidan, gastric ulcer, anti-peptic activity